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Hello! Sickness took over our house with the super flu for the past month! So this year I am a late “Bloomer” for spring! That’s okay, I know I am not the only one. Better late than never!

As much as I love decorating for Christmas, I love decorating for Spring even more! I am sucker for pretty flowers and bunnies! Springtime creates such a softness to your home between delicate flowers and pastels and of course bunnies!

Decorating for Spring can be a lot easier than you think. Sometimes when we put away the Christmas décor there is a lot of empty spaces we have no idea what to do with. Try, changing out Christmas wreaths for spring ones! Maybe you wouldn’t normally put a wreath on your mirror but what softness it brings with a spring feeling, I used one that has gorgeous magnolias! If you cant find one you like remember I can create one custom for you!

I replaced my Christmas arrangement with a smaller magnolia arrangement on a cake pedestal to give it some dimension and create different heights and added a porcelain bunny. And as you read my blogs you will also see my love for blue and white porcelain. When decorating your home always use things that make you happy and inspire you, they don’t have to necessarily match but reflect who you are. Always love the things in your home and be inspired daily.

Here’s a picture from my dining room Winter to Spring. Just simple changes removed the Christmas flower and used one of my ginger jars already on the table and made an arrangement in. Removed the reindeer for a porcelain bunny. And again if you need help with flower arrangements id be more than happy to help you create one custom to your area. We also carry pre-made ones in the shop.

I used mostly white flowers, mixture of lilies and hydrangeas added some greenery with pieces of a fern and a little color with some lavender. Its quite the statement without using a lot of colors, I didn’t want to take away from the blue and white porcelain but to complement it.

Be INSPIRED, create spring in your home remember the garden doesn’t have to stop outside! Mansion Chic will be set up at the HCC Annual Flower & Garden Show this year! We will have lots of gorgeous flower arrangements along with spring décor and bunnies all created by me. We will also be featuring furniture and other decor items along with our new garden line. Saturday, March 11th 9-5 & Sunday 12th 10-4.

Sugar( 2 teaspoons, you can add more if you make it too spicy to taste)

Pepper(sprinkle to taste)

Salt(sprinkle to taste)

Basil (0.25 oz.)

Linguine(6 oz.)

Onion (1)

Can of diced tomatoes(1)

Olive Oil( I use a Fire House Spicy Blend for this dish, 1-2 teaspoon)

Spinach( I use about 2 handfuls)

Peas( 1 can)

Blackening Seasoning(Old Bay makes one, this is to sprinkle)

Prepare To Be A Chef:

Wash and dry all produce. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Halve, peel, and dice onion. Pick leaves from oregano & Basil. Discard stems and finely chop leaves. Mince or grate garlic.

Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add garlic, onion, half the oregano & basil, and a pinch of chili flakes (to taste). Cook until softened, about 5 minutes, tossing occasionally. Season with salt and pepper.

Add Shrimp and spinach to same pan. Sprinkle blackening seasoning and cayenne pepper over shrimp as much as you would like or as little. Let shrimp cook until pink and completely opaque, 4-5 minutes, Stir occasionally.

Add diced tomatoes and 1 tsp sugar to pan. Then Add Can of peas and stir. Reduce heat to medium-low and let simmer until thickened, about 10 minutes.

Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a medium pot over medium-high heat. Add sausage to the pot and sear until browned.

Add mushrooms, onion, and half the garlic to pot and cook until softened, usually 4-5 minutes, tossing and sprinkling in a little, salt , pepper, and Greek seasoning.

Add oregano, 1½ cups water, and stock concentrate to pot. Bring to a simmer and stir in couscous. Let simmer uncovered about 15 minutes. Sometimes adding a little extra water is needed until couscous is cooked.

Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a medium pan over medium heat. Toss in remaining garlic add spinach and toss until wilted, 3-4 minutes. Season with salt, pepper and a little Greek seasoning.

Stir in a little parmesan cheese to the couscous to melt. Then add spinach into couscous and stir. Divide couscous between bowls and Voila!

Sweet and Smoky Spice Blend (you can buy a blend pre made or use cinnamon, salt, pepper, a little cayenne pepper.)

Butter

Onion Powder

Prepare To Be A Chef:

Wash and dry all produce. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Place broccoli florets on a baking sheet. Toss with a drizzle of oil and a pinch of salt and pepper ( I also sprinkle Turmeric which is optional). Roast until crispy and lightly browned, about 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, prick sweet potatoes all over with a fork. Put on a plate and microwave(yes in the microwave!) on high until very tender, about 10 minutes.

While broccoli and sweet potatoes cook, heat a drizzle of oil in a large pan over medium high heat. Season chicken all over with salt ( I use a Mediterranean Sea Salt) and pepper, onion powder,(optional turmeric, also I add with chicken and pork dishes a pre made Cuban blend you can purchase at grocery store). Add to pan and cook until browned about 5 minutes per side. Remove from pan and slice into about 1/2 inch slices, Throw back into the pan until browned and no pink in the center.

Add balsamic vinegar to pan, I go a little heavy on this I pour it in until half of the bottom of pan is covered or you can ass about 4 TBSP. Simmer until thickened but not completely evaporated, 1-3 minutes( I turn heat up to high). Add 4-5 tsp maple syrup (I add more, I like extra sauce) and simmer until very thick and sticky, about 1 minute. Add 1/2 TBSP butter and stir until melted.

Split sweet potatoes down the middle and brush with butter season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with a pinch of sweet and smoky spice blend (to taste). Lightly mash with a fork if you’d like.

Arrange sweet potatoes on plates with chicken and broccoli. Drizzle over any remaining glaze and sprinkle sweet and smoky spice blend over top. Voila! Quick and easy!

Bring 1 cup water and a pinch of salt to a boil in a small pot. Once boiling, add rice, Sprinkle turmeric powder all over top of rice and stir (you want the turmeric to make your rice yellow). Cover, and reduce to a simmer. Cook until tender, 15-20 minutes. Remove from heat and keep covered.

Drizzle oil in a large pan over high heat. Add green beans, bell pepper, and scallions and toss until softened and starting to brown, 4-5 minutes. Season with salt, pepper and onion powder. Add pinch of garlic (not all of it). Throw in peas for about 2 more minutes. Remove from pan, put in bowl and set aside.

Reduce heat to medium and add a large drizzle of oil to same pan. Add rest of garlic and ginger and toss 1-2 minutes.

Increase heat to medium-high and add pork,(this is a totally optional step but anytime I make pork I add a Brazilian pre mixture spice, which you can get the grocery store even though this is a Thai dish. Trust me it makes your pork amazing but spice isn’t for everyone so that’s why I didn’t call for it in the ingredients). Break up pork into pieces with spatula or wooden spoon and cook until browned and crisp at edges, 5-6 minutes. Toss in veggies, soy sauce, and honey. Season with salt and pepper.

Remove pan from heat and stir in half of the mint. Fluff rice with a fork. Divide rice between plates and top with stir-fry. Garnish with remaining mint if desired, I highly recommend it! Voila! You are all done this one is quick and easy but it will taste like you spent all day working on it!

Enjoy! I make several different kinds of pork dishes, but take my advice and try the Brazilian seasoning no matter what type of pork dish your making, you will be glad you did!

Paleo Caesar Dressing(store bought, doesn’t have to be Paleo, just what I prefer)

Almonds(to sprinkle to taste)

Red Chard

Sweet Potatoes(2)

Dill

Thyme

Oregano

Prepare To Be A Chef:

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. De-stem dill, thyme, and oregano; finely chop all leaves together. Place Salmon in a bowl, drizzle oil ( I use Mediterranean olive oil). Add herbs a little bit of salt and pepper. Optional to add a little bit of honey(I always do with fish). Slice lemon into thin circle slices .

Trim stem ends off green beans and cut into 1-inch pieces, place into bowl. Cut red and yellow peppers into thin slices along with the onion and put in same bowl with green beans. Toss in some garlic to taste as much as you’d like. Drizzle with oil add some salt and pepper optional step I also when cooking veggies add a Greek Seasoning mix and sprinkle it on, it comes pre mixed and you can pick it up at any grocery store). Then stir.

Spread veggie mixture on baking sheet, place salmon on top of veggies, skin side down. Place lemon slices on top covering salmon. (Optional to drizzle more honey all over on top(I do it adds extra flavor). Then place foil covers entire baking sheet, crimp foil over edges to seal.

Put baking sheet with veggies and salmon in over and Roast 15-20 minutes(depends on your oven or until salmon flakes with fork and veggies are tender).

Drizzle cooking oil into pan, add sweet potatoes and chard stems. Season with salt and pepper and a little bit of turmeric if you have it( I add turmeric a lot along with salt and pepper just for the health benefit, I cant stress enough how great it is for you! In fact every time I say add salt and pepper in my recipes I am really adding turmeric also, so feel free to as long as you like the taste). Cook about 5 minutes.

Add chard leaves to sweet potato mixture; stir. Add 3 tablespoons of water. Cook 2-4 more minutes depends on your stove or how high heat your using, you just want them to be fork tender. Stir occasionally then add some drizzles of honey to taste. Take off heat.

Divide veggies and top with salmon keeping the lemon on top the salmon. Place sweet potato and chard mixture next to salmon and veggies. Sprinkle with almonds and place Caesar dressing in side cup on plate or drizzle over plate lightly. Voila your finished!

Everyone has random or odd spaces they don’t know how to fill in their home. We have this ledge above our door that I have been staring at for months now, trying to figure out what to do it was just so open and empty.

Sorry if the photo is a little dark, I do most of my projects around the house at nighttime considering our busy lifestyle. But as you can see it just needed something, it was so bare and awkwardly empty.

In any space your decorating in your home you should create a space to inspire your life, spaces that you feel good about with things you love. A space which reflects and inspires your family.

I get inspired by beautiful architecture around the world and different worldly art. I absolutely love culture. Several Months back I fell in love with these Spanish wood and iron doors and purchased them for the shop, I’ve stared at them every day I am at the shop dreaming of how beautiful they would be in someone’s home and what unique things they could use them for. Well I got tired of dreaming and wondering and I brought those babies home! They truly inspire me, and did I mention they are my favorite color, teal!

I always get these crazy ideas, my husband said you want to put those where? He huffed in amusement and we went and got them, even had to strap them to the top of our car since they would not fit inside! Needless to say he loves it! I put some vases and greenery to balance and soften. But Voila! No more empty awkward space! Now every morning I walk down my stairs I get to truly be inspired by something I love, these gorgeous Spanish doors opened up to the window of what the day awaits outside. How exciting, now get excited about all the possibilities for your home!

I hope your inspired to create a home and a lifestyle you’ll love. Follow along as I reveal how to “Chic Your Home” in all aspects, from home decorating to recipes and everything in between!

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.Peel, and thinly slice onion. Strip rosemary leaves from stems if you are using Fresh and finely chop until you have 1 TBSP, I usually go heavy on all my spices(I love flavor). Discard stems. Halve potatoes lengthwise, then cut into about 1-inch-thick wedges (however wide you want your fries)

Toss potatoes on a baking sheet with a large drizzle of olive oil ( I use several different kinds of oils when I cook, it all depends on the taste you are going for, this time I used Avocado oil) and chopped rosemary. Season with salt ( I use a Pink Mediterranean Sea Salt) and pepper. Roast until lightly brown and crisp, about 30-35 minutes

Heat a large drizzle of oil in a pan on medium-high heat. Add onion and cabbage and cook until softened, about 5 minutes, tossing. Add mustard seeds and cook until they start to pop. Stir in white wine vinegar, sugar, and a pinch of salt. Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook until cabbage is tender, about 10 minutes.

While cabbage cooks, heat a drizzle of oil in another pan over medium-high heat. (A lot of people pat steak dry with a paper towel, to rid all extra juices.I do not, I use a lot of seasonings &spices when I cook so the extra juices helps absorb them and keep them on the meat) Season all over with salt and pepper, and all additional spices are optional I always use a Cuban spice blend on my meats but flavor meats how your family will eat them. Add to pan and sear until browned and cooked to desired doneness, 4-7 minutes per side. Remove and set aside to rest.

Use same pan to make sauce Add balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, cranberry jam, and 3 TBSP water to same pan over medium heat. Stir. Let simmer until reduced to a Saucy consistency, about 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat.

Thinly slice steak. Arrange potatoes and cabbage between plates. Drizzle glaze over steak, and if you have extra rosemary you can sprinkle on top.

Hello World! My Name is Ashley Little, I am a 28 year old Entrepreneur I own and run two companies. One I can express my passion and release my artistic side the other one more on a serious note. I am a busy mother of two and a wife to a loving supportive husband. I created this blog to share my passions of home decorating and creating a space to inspire your life along with Recipes and everything in between whether its organizing, cleaning or just down right loving the home your in. Thank You for following me I hope you enjoy this journey of Chic Your Home with me, I am glad your here! God Bless!